Chapter 3: Full of Surprises
It wasn't long after Rumpelstiltskin's wounds healed; Maurice requested he stay for a longer period. He mainly kept company with Alice on most days, becoming instantly fond of the precocious teenager through their mutual love for chess and would occasionally help her when she would conduct pranks at several of the nobles to the amusement of Belle and Rogers. His nightmares of Zelena continued resulting at times he would wake up screaming where he began fixing the sound in the bedroom to avoid anyone coming in to check up on him after he swore he heard someone come in the first night. Several times, Rumpestiltskin noticed a ball of light appearing in his room or outdoors providing him with a familiar comfort he was unable to place. Whenever he saw the ball, he would spend several hours at the lake attempting to make contact or allow his feathers out becoming increasingly vigilant most nights.
Most of the time he noticed Belle glancing at him pretending to focused on her book or conversing with a lady in waiting whenever it became clear he noticed her. Sometimes she waved back or would occasionally find themselves in the library suspecting it had been more planned than coincident where they found themselves in the same areas after several times changing the routines.
"You can stay Princess." He told her keeping his eyes on his book as she looked around the door and windows of the drawing room.
She glanced at the clock placed on the middle of the fireplace disappointed at the time, "I would love to, but I'm late for a lunch date with Gaston."
He wrinkled his nose at the thought of Belle engaged to him; he thought she could do better as the man spent most of his time berating at Belle or trying too hard to be a gentleman in front of Maurice. Rogers let him know the state of their engagement mainly came from the depletion of the treasury due to several ill farming seasons. Despite the being offered assistance through his wealthy nephew, Maurice believed it a better approach would have come from Belle marrying Gaston instead.
"We can't let your fiancé think some handsome knight stole you away." moving his hands playfully ordering her to leave.
"Gaston isn't my fiancé; it has just been a long courtship." In a distraught tone.
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her curiously focusing back on his book.
His grin widened. "I wouldn't want to stand in the way of true love. Where I come from, usually a sign indicates one is a lifelong mate."
Belle began moving around the room. "Despite what my father and the kingdom wants, I can't seem to give my heart to someone as shallow as him." Tightly holding her arm to her shoulder; to me, love is layered, a mystery to be uncovered."
When Belle decided to leave, Rumpelstiltskin had difficulty concentrating on his book after noticing Belle left her laced shawl.
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"Don't you think it's time for you tell us who you really are Rumpelstiltskin?"
Hearing Rogers question puzzled and frightened him.
He had considered the Duke a friend learning how he had inherited his title at the age of 12 after the death of his older brother from a freak accident. Unable to take the pressure from a life he had not been prepared for, Rogers enlisted in the army rising up the ranks where he met a peasant woman named Eloise during an expedition in the Sudenlands swearing he would have married her had she not died in childbirth resulting in Alice becoming his wake up call towards maturity.
"What do you mean?" concealing his attempts to squirm.
Rogers took a flask he kept in his pocket for emergencies placing some of the whiskey into the marmalade flavored sherry Alice prepared for them, while sweet lacked the proper fermentation. He quickly drank it staring at his friend and showed him a piece of paper containing a photo of swan fairies.
"While you were still sick, Belle was doing research and I noticed she tore out a page from a book normally doing that unless she saw something that sparking her interest. I didn't think anything of it until a few days ago, Alice and I had seen you swimming around the lake shedding that thing you have and turning yourself into a swan."
Now Rumpelstiltskin had wished he had brought the sword or dagger he had been provided with. He never thought of needing to duel Rogers out of protection or principle. He could see the older man looks amused at being correct when Rumpelstiltskin took another sip.
"What do you want?" bluntly asking.
"Absolutely nothing. Your secrets are your own and even Alice decided to stay silent."
He already knew where this was going but Rumpelstiltskin wanted to hear the response. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I have seen you interact with my daughter and cousin Rumpelstiltskin. There has never been a moment for as long as you have been here where I needed to believe they were not safe in your hands. I know you are a good man and would do about anything to help them."
This response from the rakish Duke had not been Rumpelstiltskin predicted. He felt guilty for doubting when seeing the Duke even throwing the paper into the fireplace further indicating his assurance. However, Rumpelstiltskin had still not been satisfied.
It took less than an hour for Maurice and Rogers to find Rumpelstiltskin into the straw room sitting on the spinning wheel clutching bits of straw between his fingers. Rogers regretted asking as Rumpelstiltskin became silent only demanding he fetch the king and meet him in the straw room.
Sneering at the two men, Rumpelstiltskin stood up inspecting the room full of straw.
"Rogers let it slip regarding your treasury." He gave them a straight answer.
Maurice being the larger out of the two, stoke fright into his nephew while frightened of their guest.
"My apologies, I swear I had not suggested my nephew into giving you this information." He went on his knees pleading to him. "Please accept our sincerest apologies."
The display of pleas became tiresome for Rumpelstiltskin, "yes, yes, yes stand up." The king obeyed his order. "I have seen how you interact with your family and your servants. You are clearly a benevolent ruler who wants the best for his people. However, the gold I produce is not for the faint of heart. I only freely provide wealth to those who do not have malice in their souls. If the straw turns to gold, I will continue filling out the entire room for as much as you need to pay out all the debts. If the straw turns to black," Rumpelstiltskin stared at the two men up and down "let us just say it won't be pretty."
"Are you saying it will turn black?" Maurice pondered.
Rumpelstiltskin picked up a handful of straw placing it into the spinning wheel, "let us find out" Spinning several piles of straw into the wheel, turning the thread into pure gold. Each passing pile, the two men were relieved as Rumpelstiltskin rejoiced over conducting a hobby he once loathed solely for pure fun. Ten piles later, Rumpelstiltskin presented Maurice and Rogers with baskets of golden thread permitting them to touch it shocked to find the gold was in fact real.
"Have your men deliver the gold to the smithy by tomorrow morning. It will be safer for them to touch it by then."
Maurice was too ecstatic, thanking Rumpelstiltskin and pleading for him to stay then heading towards his study to conduct an inventory list leaving Rogers alone with the piles of gold as they left the room.
"You knew the straw would never turn black." Demand Rogers, laughing at his friend outwitting him.
"Of course, Maurice being too ashamed at my knowledge already gave me the answer. "He took a piece of the thread handing it to Rogers, "However, I appreciate not telling your uncle or anyone else about what I am." Rumpelstiltskin smiled bowing to Rogers.
"It wasn't my place, you should tell Belle. She already suspects you to not even be human"
"I will consider it Your Grace."
The two men turned a corner heading into another part of the castle unaware Belle lurking behind the corner having overheard what occurred in the straw room.
She no longer had any obligations to marry Gaston, the money given to her father allows them out of debt, and she could now present her plans to keep the kingdom secure for the remaining year's harvest and hopefully bring back their prosperity.
The part she continued trying to grasp was now making her decision without guilt.
Remembering Gaston was on his way, Belle quickly went to a mirror pinching her cheeks, not having time to change out of her salmon frock. She found herself in the drawing room Gaston already let in appearing to not have waited long.
"I haven't seen your father around lately, hasn't lost his head yet?" he asked.
"No, he's fine. Gaston, we need to talk." She sat down next to him taking a deep breath as guilt began to seep into her. "Do you love me?" she asked.
Gaston stood up with an offended gesture gazing at her. "What kind of question is that? You are one of the most beautiful women in Misthaven"
"That is not what I mean. What do you like about me?" Belle began moving her hands calming her nerves. "We've known one another for several years, everyone expect us to marry but I don't think we have never had moment together discussing our common interests. We are always together during a social event, but you are usually interacting with someone else and hardly speak to me. It wouldn't be fair to either one of us if we enter into a marriage never a chance to properly communicate."
Gaston laughed as though Belle told him an amusing joke, "Belle, I doubt we will need a chance to discuss books as you are pregnant."
Belle widened her mouth over the insulation while trying to keep her composure. "About that, we don't need children right away. We can wait a few years and have some time for ourselves."
"Where is this coming from? Belle, you are a Princess; your only job is to secure an heir for Avonlea. The stroke of misfortune has left your father giving you the impression you will be left in charge after he finally dies. Yes you are beautiful, brilliant and with perfect curves entailing you to give me at least a dozen sons. I could care less what your favorite book is or if you prefer figs over plums as long as it doesn't affect the long term plan. If you understand this, then our marriage will already be a success."
Belle stood up seeing Gaston in a clear light.
Any attractive features he had, now faded with a malice sneer and a despicable personality. She would have accepted his shallowness due to being in the same awkward position as her, but now she felt stupid for hoping he was different.
"Then I suppose I can't marry you. I'm sorry but I won't give myself to man who believes I am nothing more than a decoration to be shown off then placed back into the wardrobe whenever it becomes inconvenient."
Now Gaston's expression turned worse heading over to Belle, still maintaining her posture as Gaston began shaking her. "What has come over you? It's the lanky magician isn't it? The one who hangs out with your foppish cousin and his bastard freak? "I know all about your family situation, do you honestly think anyone else can offer you a better engagement?"
Before Gaston knew it, Belle slapped him knocking the man back. "Don't you ever dare insult my family! Rogers and Alice are both a hundred of you. Rumpelstiltskin had nothing to do with this decision that I am starting to see had been correct."
Belle went over to the door opening it for him when Gaston noticed a vase on the table throwing over the fireplace smashing it to pieces. "While beautiful, not worth the trouble. Enjoy spinsterhood as you lose your kingdom."
Gaston left pushing Belle out of the way nearly hitting the floor when Rumpelstiltskin came from another room picking her up. The two men stared at one another when Gaston snickered slamming the door while Rumpelstiltskin placed Belle into the sofa of the drawing room.
She refused to look at the opposite direction, focusing on Rumpelstiltskin's dark eyes looking at her with sympathy.
"Are you alright, Princess?"
She turned around then back at her friend, "I believe so. Please join me for tea, I will ask Mrs. Potts to get us a tray ready."
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As soon as Gaston left, he used his mirror teleporting him into his second home. The manor appeared bleak as it had not surprised him due to the staff recently being dismissed.
He couldn't believe it; Belle is the most beautiful woman he laid eyes on. Her position in Misthaven, while rocky gave her standing because of her family lineage securing him with open opportunities. Her insistence of reading and behaving as though she will be a ruler someday became traits he tolerated knowing once he impregnated her, she would have little time to spend in the library focusing on the home.
Now he lost her. All thanks to a scrawny, little man.
He smashed another vase, broke the mirrors around the dining hall using a fire poker. He dreamt of using the poker over Belle's beautiful porcelain skin marking her until she etched in a dark red. He smiled at how it was a beautiful sight.
"Careful now Gaston, you don't want to damage those beautiful hands of yours." Stated Zelena sitting on the desk with Robyn awkwardly sitting a nearby chair.
"Belle broke off the engagement."
She began moving to his back embracing him, "I always did say she had been a terrible choice for you. After I made sure your family gained exurban wealth and your father his little accident, you needed a queen or someone more powerful by your side. A man as strong such as yourself could do much better."
They began kissing passionately throwing Zelena over the desk when Robyn cleared her throat letting the pair they were not alone. The sight of the young blonde made Gaston sick leaving Zelena on the desk to fetch a drink.
"She has changed; it was only after the little gnat showed up in his hideous feather cloak promising her father handmade gold she began to reconsider. He bewitched her somehow"
The mention of Rumpelstiltskin paused Zelena and Robyn. "Who is he?"
"His name is Rumpelstiltskin. The idiot showed up less several months ago covered in scars accusing me of shooting him even though I swore it was a bird. Maurice nearly threw him in the dungeon until he bribed everyone with his sorcery."
Robyn stood up as Zelena glared at her; she gulped when the witch began walking towards her. "Didn't you say he was dead by jumping over a cliff with a broken wing?"
"Zelena, what are you talking about?" demanding Gaston becoming increasingly drunk.
She immediately took Robyn's heart, freezing her and placing the organ into a jar glancing back to Gaston. "What if I told you I can help you get back your precious china doll, the kingdom and rid you of a certain water fowl?"